Resurgent

Chapter 7

I lie on my bed as I think about all the new things I learn every day since I’ve been out of my coma. One thing I didn’t find surprising was that Shauna and Zeke got married about two years after my death. It’s been hard for Zeke and his family to move on from Uriah’s death, but somehow they all managed to forgive Tobias and not blame him for what happened. Shauna is now able to run and jump just as before.

As for Christina, she goes on dates frequently with a guy named Ben, former Erudite, just like Will. He’s arrogant, typical of his faction, but still caring and sensitive. It’s good for Christina to have someone that can still debate with her, but also calm her down when needed. I don’t particularly like Ben because of his obvious despise for me. He seems to blame me for literally everything that happened to the faction system, which he adored. Christina keeps telling me that he just feels threatened by me taking up all her time, but I don’t buy it. I just try to avoid him as much as possible.

It’s been almost three weeks since the day I woke up, and I still don’t know what I want to do with my life. Tobias suggested working as his assistant for now, but he knew just as well as I did that I would hate that. I want to find a job by myself and not rely on others to help me.

“Tris, I’m kicking you out.” Christina says as she nudges my shoulder with her foot.

“What?” I bolt upright.

“You need to find a new place to live. I’m sorry, but I just can’t handle your nightmares anymore. Besides, this will force you to tell Tobias about them, assuming that’s the only option you have for housing.”

A nervous panic sweeps over me. “Christina, please. Just give me a few more days. I think they’re almost gone.”

“You’ve been saying that for two weeks now. I hate to do this, but it really is for your own good.” She says with a sympathetic tone. “When I get back from work today, please have your stuff packed up and in Tobias’s apartment.”

“You can’t be serious!” I desperately yell. “You’re supposed to be my best friend. The person I can rely on for anything!”

“And I still am that person. Hey, you keep telling me that you want to make a living for yourself. This is a good start. I’m gonna be late for work but let’s eat dinner tonight?”

“No thanks, I think that it’ll be too inconvenient for your life.” I shoot a glare at her as I storm out her apartment.

I rush down the stairs and out onto the streets. Even the fresh air doesn’t relieve the squeezed feeling inside of me. I’m beyond angry that Christina would kick me out. I’m beyond astonished that she would force me to tell Tobias something so secretive and private. But most of all, I feel beyond betrayed. Her kicking me out was her way of saying that she’s done with me. I know I’m annoying and difficult, but she had no right to do that.

I continue down the streets as I fume with anger. There is no way I’m moving in with Tobias. Although I want to, I know I can’t. To do so would mean him knowing about my nightmares. He doesn’t need to worry any more than he already does.

“Watch it!” I shout as I bump into someone. I am not in the mood to deal with oblivious people.

“Tris! We have got to stop running into each other like this.” Peter says as he straightens his clothes.

“Just watch where you’re going.” I snap.

“Okay, you caught me. I purposely bumped into you because I wanted to talk to you. It’s been a long time!”

“I’m not feeling very chatty.” I shortly reply.

“So I noticed. I’m headed over to my place, how about you join me? You don’t need to talk. I can talk enough for the both of us.” He drapes his arm over my shoulders and tugs me with him.

When we reach his house, my jaw drops a little. It’s a huge, two story mansion with sleek steel walls and gigantic windows.

“This whole place is yours?” I ask in amazement.

            Peter casually nods his head as he unlocks the door. The inside is even better than the outside. We walk up the modern stairs to the open upstairs. The walls and couches are all white, decorated with dark brown tables and lamps. His whole living room wall is a glass window, allowing you to overlook the entire city.

            “You’re still standing? Come on, sit down over here.” He says while patting the cushion next to him. I make my way over, still in awe of his place. Sitting down, I purposely leave a wide gap between us, which Peter immediately notices and scoots in closer. “I have a rule that no pretty girls like you are allowed to be sad in my house. So, what’s up?”

            “You said I didn’t have to talk.”

            “Yeah, I lied. Why is it both times we’ve met you’ve been in a bad mood? You really need to learn to let things go.” He grabs a blanket and drapes it over us.

            “Well…” I hesitantly start. Am I really about to share my frustration with Peter? “The person who I thought was my best friend just kicked me out of her apartment.” I share everything with him and begin wiping away tears as I finally admit how hurt I am. When I’m done, I lean into his welcoming arms and fight back the urge to continue sobbing. I didn’t even know that I felt like crying until talking about Christina’s decision.

            “Sounds like a tough day. But honestly just get over yourself.” Peter flatly remarks. “I totally get why she kicked you out. A girl needs her rest and there’s really nothing she can do for you. I also understand why you feel like you can’t tell Tobias. It’s a sucky situation, but you’ll live through it.”

            “Are you kidding me? I’m supposed to ‘get over myself?’” I lean out of his arms. “My only other option is either with Caleb or Tobias. And I don’t want them to know, especially Caleb.”

            “Why don’t you just stay here?” Peter opens his arms and gestures to the house. I just laugh. “I’m serious! I have plenty of room and you can sleep up here while I’m downstairs. I’m a really hard sleeper, so you don’t have to worry about waking me up with your dumb scary dreams.”

            “Good joke, but I don’t think so.”

            “Come on, you’d actually be doing me a favor. I hate living here alone, it gets pretty lonely.”

            After thinking about it for a little bit, I agree. He does have a nice house and it’s better than Tobias or Caleb knowing about my nightmares. I know that I have to tell Tobias right away though; this is too big of a decision to keep from him.

            “Thank you. I really appreciate this. I’ll bring my stuff over around 3:00?” I get up and start down the stairs.

            “Sounds great!” Peter shouts from the top floor as I show myself to the door.